Manchester United's 2017-18 Season: A Detailed Review

The 2017-18 Manchester United season was a year of both promise and frustration for the Red Devils. Under the continued guidance of manager José Mourinho, expectations were high following a summer of significant investment in the squad. Fans were eager to see if the team could mount a serious challenge for the Premier League title and make a significant impact in the Champions League. While the season brought some memorable moments and a second-place finish in the league, it ultimately fell short of the lofty ambitions held by the club and its supporters. Let's dive deep into what made this season a talking point for years to come. From key signings to tactical approaches, and from stunning victories to disappointing defeats, we'll cover it all. Think of this as your ultimate guide to understanding everything that happened during that rollercoaster of a year at Old Trafford. We'll explore the highs, the lows, and everything in between, giving you a comprehensive overview of Manchester United's 2017-18 campaign. So, buckle up and get ready for a nostalgic trip back to a season filled with drama, excitement, and plenty of unforgettable moments.

Season Overview

The season kicked off with a sense of optimism, fueled by the arrival of Romelu Lukaku, Nemanja Matić, and Victor Lindelöf. These signings were intended to bolster the squad's strength in key areas, addressing weaknesses that had been apparent in the previous campaign. The team started strongly, displaying a potent attacking threat and a solid defensive foundation. Early wins boosted morale and positioned Manchester United as genuine title contenders. However, as the season progressed, inconsistencies began to creep into their performances. While they managed to secure important victories against rivals, they also suffered unexpected defeats and draws against teams they were expected to beat. This inconsistency ultimately proved costly in the title race, as Manchester City surged ahead to claim the Premier League crown. In the Champions League, Manchester United navigated the group stage relatively comfortably, but their journey was cut short in the round of 16 by Sevilla. This defeat was a major disappointment, as many had hoped for a deeper run in the competition. Despite the setbacks, the team showed resilience and determination, ultimately finishing second in the Premier League – their highest league finish since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure. This achievement secured their place in the Champions League for the following season and provided a platform to build on. The season also saw some individual brilliance, with players like Lukaku, David de Gea, and Alexis Sánchez (who arrived in January) making significant contributions. However, the team's overall performance was often criticized for being overly pragmatic and lacking the attacking flair that had been a hallmark of Manchester United teams in the past.

Key Players and Signings

Romelu Lukaku's arrival was undoubtedly one of the most significant events of the season. The Belgian striker joined from Everton with a reputation for scoring goals, and he didn't disappoint. He quickly established himself as the team's main attacking threat, scoring a flurry of goals in the early part of the season. His physical presence, aerial ability, and clinical finishing made him a nightmare for defenders. Lukaku's goals were crucial in securing important victories and keeping Manchester United in the title race. Nemanja Matić was another key signing, providing a much-needed shield in front of the defense. His experience, tactical awareness, and ability to break up play made him an invaluable asset to the team. Matić's presence allowed the more attacking players to express themselves freely, knowing that they had a reliable defensive midfielder protecting them. Victor Lindelöf, although initially struggling to adapt to the Premier League, eventually grew into his role and became a solid presence in the defense. His composure on the ball and ability to read the game improved as the season progressed, making him a valuable member of the squad. In January, the arrival of Alexis Sánchez from Arsenal generated a lot of excitement. The Chilean forward was considered one of the best players in the Premier League, and his signing was seen as a major coup for Manchester United. However, Sánchez struggled to replicate his Arsenal form at Old Trafford, and his performances were often inconsistent. Despite the challenges, his arrival added another dimension to the team's attack and provided Mourinho with more options in the final third. David de Gea continued to be a standout performer, producing a string of world-class saves throughout the season. His shot-stopping ability was crucial in keeping Manchester United in games, and he was widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world. These players, along with other key members of the squad, played a vital role in Manchester United's campaign, contributing to both the successes and the challenges that the team faced.

Tactical Approach

José Mourinho's tactical approach during the 2017-18 season was often characterized as pragmatic and cautious. He prioritized defensive stability and organization, often setting up the team in a compact shape to make it difficult for opponents to break them down. This approach was effective in grinding out results, particularly against tougher opponents, but it also drew criticism for being overly negative and lacking attacking ambition. Mourinho's tactics often involved playing with two defensive midfielders to shield the back four, providing extra protection against counter-attacks. This allowed the full-backs to push forward and support the attack, but it also meant that the team sometimes lacked creativity and dynamism in midfield. In attack, Mourinho relied on the pace and power of Lukaku, as well as the creativity of players like Sánchez, Juan Mata, and Jesse Lingard. The team often looked to hit opponents on the counter-attack, using the speed of their forwards to exploit spaces in the opposition's defense. However, their attacking play was often criticized for being too predictable and lacking the fluidity and imagination that had been a hallmark of Manchester United teams in the past. Mourinho's tactical decisions were often influenced by the opposition, and he was known for making tactical tweaks and adjustments based on the strengths and weaknesses of the team they were facing. This adaptability was a key strength, but it also meant that the team sometimes lacked a clear identity and struggled to establish a consistent style of play. Overall, Mourinho's tactical approach during the 2017-18 season was effective in achieving a second-place finish in the Premier League, but it also drew criticism for being overly cautious and lacking the attacking flair that fans had come to expect from Manchester United.

Premier League Performance

In the Premier League, Manchester United finished second with 81 points, a significant improvement from the previous season. However, they were still a considerable distance behind champions Manchester City, who amassed a record-breaking 100 points. The season started brightly, with a series of dominant wins that suggested a genuine title challenge was on the cards. Romelu Lukaku's prolific goal-scoring form early in the season was a major factor in their early success. Victories against rivals like Liverpool and Arsenal further boosted their confidence and solidified their position among the top teams. However, as the season progressed, inconsistencies began to surface. Unexpected defeats against teams like Huddersfield Town and Newcastle United proved costly, allowing Manchester City to pull away at the top of the table. Draws against teams they were expected to beat also hampered their progress. Despite these setbacks, Manchester United showed resilience and determination to secure a second-place finish. This achievement was particularly significant as it marked their highest league finish since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement. The team's defensive record was also impressive, conceding only 28 goals throughout the season. David de Gea's outstanding performances in goal were a major factor in their defensive solidity. Overall, Manchester United's Premier League performance in the 2017-18 season was a mixed bag. While they showed improvement compared to previous seasons, they ultimately fell short of challenging for the title. The inconsistencies in their performances and the dominance of Manchester City were the main reasons for their failure to mount a serious title challenge. However, the second-place finish provided a platform to build on and gave fans hope for future success.

Champions League Run

Manchester United's Champions League campaign in the 2017-18 season began with a sense of optimism, as they were drawn into a relatively favorable group. They navigated the group stage comfortably, winning five of their six matches and securing top spot in their group. Victories against Benfica, Basel, and CSKA Moscow showcased their dominance and underlined their credentials as a team to be taken seriously in the competition. However, their journey was brought to an abrupt end in the round of 16 by Sevilla. The Spanish side, who were not considered among the favorites to win the competition, produced a stunning performance at Old Trafford to knock Manchester United out. The defeat was a major disappointment for the team and their fans, as many had hoped for a deeper run in the Champions League. The performance against Sevilla was widely criticized for being lackluster and lacking attacking ambition. Mourinho's tactical approach was also questioned, with some arguing that he was too cautious and negative in his approach. The Champions League exit was a major setback for Manchester United, as it ended their hopes of winning a major trophy that season. It also raised questions about the team's ability to compete with the best teams in Europe. Overall, Manchester United's Champions League run in the 2017-18 season was a disappointment. While they navigated the group stage comfortably, their exit in the round of 16 was a major setback and highlighted the areas where the team needed to improve.

FA Cup and League Cup

In the FA Cup, Manchester United reached the final but were defeated by Chelsea. The match was a closely contested affair, but Chelsea ultimately emerged victorious thanks to a penalty from Eden Hazard. The defeat was a disappointment for Manchester United, as they had hoped to win the FA Cup and end the season with a trophy. In the League Cup, Manchester United were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Bristol City. The Championship side produced a shock result, defeating Manchester United 2-1 at Ashton Gate. The defeat was a major upset and ended Manchester United's hopes of winning the League Cup. Overall, Manchester United's performances in the FA Cup and League Cup were disappointing. They failed to win either trophy, and their exit from the League Cup was particularly embarrassing. These defeats added to the sense of frustration surrounding the season, as the team ultimately fell short of expectations in all competitions.

Season Highlights and Lowlights

Season Highlights:

• Finishing second in the Premier League, their highest league finish since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement.
• Romelu Lukaku's prolific goal-scoring form early in the season.
• David de Gea's outstanding performances in goal.
• Securing victories against rivals like Liverpool and Arsenal.
• Navigating the Champions League group stage comfortably.

Season Lowlights:

• Failing to challenge for the Premier League title.
• Being knocked out of the Champions League in the round of 16 by Sevilla.
• Losing the FA Cup final to Chelsea.
• Being eliminated from the League Cup by Bristol City.
• Inconsistent performances throughout the season.

Overall Assessment

The 2017-18 Manchester United season was a year of mixed fortunes. While they achieved a second-place finish in the Premier League and navigated the Champions League group stage comfortably, they ultimately fell short of expectations in other competitions. The team's inconsistent performances and failure to challenge for the title were major disappointments. The Champions League exit in the round of 16 was also a significant setback. Despite the setbacks, there were also some positives to take from the season. The emergence of players like Lukaku and De Gea as key performers was encouraging. The second-place finish in the Premier League provided a platform to build on for future success. However, overall, the season was a disappointment, as the team ultimately failed to achieve their main objectives. The challenge for Mourinho and his team was to learn from the mistakes of the season and come back stronger in the following campaign. For fans, it was a season of highs and lows, filled with moments of excitement and frustration. Ultimately, it was a season that left them wanting more, hoping for a brighter future under the continued guidance of José Mourinho. This season highlighted the need for greater consistency and a more attacking brand of football to truly compete with the best teams in England and Europe. So, guys, let's remember this season as a stepping stone, a learning curve, and a reminder of the high standards that Manchester United must always strive to achieve. Let's hope for better days ahead and a return to the glory years that we all know and love!